WALES’ inexperienced side showed their resilience to record a notable summer double with victory against Samoa in the rain of Apia.

The tourists backed up last week’s 24-6 win against Tonga by edging a tight tussle 19-17 thanks to a brace by Scarlets wing Steff Evans, the winner coming with six minutes to go.

Wales were without their 12-strong Lions contingent, plus four late call-ups, and had a lengthy injury list so will have been heartened by the success in stifling conditions.

Robin McBryde insisted that it wasn’t a development tour, that it was about winning Tests.

On that front the caretaker coach will be delighted although the torrential rain of Auckland and Apia limited the management team to learning about the endeavour and spirit of their young charges rather than their attacking expertise.

Just like against Tonga, Scarlets blindside Aaron Shingler and Cardiff Blues number eight Josh Navidi were exceptional while openside Ellis Jenkins, who swapped places with Thomas Young after being on the bench last week, joined them to great effect.

The green tight five – loosehead Nicky Smith had the most experience with 13 caps – did well while Gareth Anscombe showed composure from full-back.

Evans and Dragons outside centre Tyler Morgan didn’t get much opportunity to show their talents with ball in hand on a night that called for the boot rather than the pass, but the former did show the finishing prowess that saw him finish as the Guinness PRO12’s top scorer.

If it was a test of character then Wales came through with flying colours, especially after making a shaky start in greasy conditions with debutant Rory Thornton losing a first-minute lineout and Evans dropping the subsequent box kick.

That allowed the Samoans to go on the attack in the 22 before the ball was worked wide for Wasps wing Alapati Leiua to go over for a try that Tusi Pisi, who will be his teammate at Bristol next season, expertly converted from the touchline.

Wales were making errors galore to allow their fired-up hosts, who had started well against All Blacks a week earlier before being overpowered by the world champions, to grow in confidence.

More mistakes – a knock-on by full-back Anscombe and offside by tighthead Dillon Lewis – allowed Pisi to make it 10-0 after 10 minutes.

Thankfully Wales settled and Sam Davies made it 10-6 after the first quarter with a brace of penalties, the fly-half part of a smart kicking game to put Samoa under pressure.

However, it was the hosts who enjoyed the next scoring opportunity when an obstruction penalty allowed them to go to the 22 but after one drive went close a second was turned over when they went back to the corner.

It was then Wales’ turn to waste prime attacking territory when smart work by Anscombe earned a five-metre scrum.

Wing Evans was smashed on the carry before the pack applied the pressure only for Davies to try a dink over the top that was gathered and booted down the other end.

A scrum penalty allowed Davies to reduce the deficit to a point as the teams headed for the changing rooms after a rather stodgy half in challenging weather.

And Wales came flying out for the second half to take the lead for the first time when flanker Aaron Shingler charged down Pisi before hacking on into the 22.

Openside Ellis Jenkins slid in to gather before the ball was worked to the left by hooker Ryan Elias and tighthead Dillon Lewis for Scarlets wing Steff Evans to score his first Test try on his second appearance.

However, it was a lead that didn’t last long with the Samoans prospering from some sloppy defence.

The hosts were too long with a lineout but Pisi gathered and Kahn Fotuali’I was allowed to snipe straight through the middle of the resulting ruck, replacement lock Adam Beard caught out, and the quick ball saw hooker Maatulimanu Leiataua slide over.

Pisi lost his footing but his conversion still sailed over for a 17-14 lead after 54 minutes.

Davies didn’t quite have the distance for a long-range leveller and Pisi pulled an effort as it remained nip and tuck entering the final quarter.

It was a night of kicks and carries rather than passes and guile… until a super score to put the tourists ahead in the closing stages.

The forwards put the pressure on in the 22 before a clever angle and offload by captain Jamie Roberts allowed Davies, replacement centre Scott Williams and Anscombe to put Evans over for his second.

The fly-half missed the tricky conversion so it was a 19-17 with five minutes left and Samoa went on the hunt for a winner.

They pressed in the 22 but a superb counter-ruck by impressive Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins forced a turnover to secure a notable victory in horrid conditions.

Samoa: D Leuila, A Leiua, K Fonotia, R Lee-Lo, D Lemi (T Mealoi 78), T Pisi, K Fotuali’i, V Afatia (N Leatigaga 60), M Leiataua (S Lam 69), P Alo-Emile (B Fotuali’i-Tauakipulu 78), C Vui, F Lemalu, P Faasalele, G Taufale (V Tuilagi 60), A Faosiliva (F Levave 49).

Scorers: tries - A Leiua, M Leiataua; conversions - T Pisi (2); penalty - T Pisi

Wales: G Anscombe, C Allen, T Morgan (S Williams 59), J Roberts (captain), S Evans, S Davies, A Davies, N Smith (W Jones 57), R Elias (S Baldwin 57), D Lewis (R Jones 65), S Davies (A Beard 49), R Thornton, A Shingler (T Young 65), E Jenkins, J Navidi.

Scorers: tries – S Evans (2); penalties – S Davies (3)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Argus star man: Ellis Jenkins